NEW MEXICO

So is New Mexico the “Land of Enchantment” in your dog’s eyes? Well, the Bisti Wilderness has been our “Doggie Hike of the Year” in the past so that’s a good start. Hiking through the world's largest gypsum sand dunes in White Sands is the cover of our website. More to recommend New Mexico. Although the Rio Grande River flows the entire length of the state only 0.002 percent of New Mexico's surface area is covered by lakes and rivers, the lowest water surface ratio in the country. Not much chance to practice dog paddle strokes. Still, enough trees grow in the Land of Enchantment to support six national forests including more than three million protected acres in Gila National Forest alone. Dogs can’t trot around the Capulin Volcano National Monument but can hike on the black lava and open woodlands at El Malpais National Monument. Dogs aren’t allowed in Carlsbad Caverns National Park but the prohibition at Bandelier National Monument is more painful. Even worse is the ban at the Tent Rocks. The alpine adventures in New Mexico are manageable for most any dog - Sandia Peak outside Albuquerque, Atalaya Mountain in Santa Fe, Picacho Peak and even Wheeler Peak to the state highpoint outside of Taos. The final verdict? Enchanted?

The Best Day Hike You Can Take With Your Dog In New Mexico

Argentina & Big Bonito Trails
White Mountain Wilderness Area • Ruidoso

The aspens and golden grasses of the high elevations - you’ll reach 9,400 feet on this canine hike - will make Seaman forget the harsh desert in the surrounding lowlands. As you climb, Bonita Creek may even offer pools deep enough for a doggie dip on this seven-mile loop.

Take down this loop in either direction, up the Argentina Canyon Trail or the Little Bonito Trail, but the most important warning to remember is - DO NOT take the Cut Across Trail that links the two routes. Do so and Seaman will miss the wonders of the New Mexico high country. Instead, continue higher to the Crest Trail that is not that much further along anyway.

This will allow Seaman to romp through alpine meadows and deliver vast looks at the desert, including White Sands National Monument far to the southwest. Stop every now and then and look back for any views you may have missed.

Argentina Peak is a small outcropping off the Crest Trail. It will require some off-trail explorations to reach the best views of the Tularosa Basin but if you skip this side excursion Seaman will scarcely be the poorer for the decision.

Human intervention adds bonus interest to one of New Mexico’s finest hikes with your dog. A rail fence in the montane grasslands helps protect the Argentina Spring seeps and a mineshaft near the trailhead will certainly pique Seaman’s interest.

HIKING TIME: 3-4 hours

(from the book 300 Day Hikes To Take With Your Dog Before He Tires You Out: Trails where you won’t be able to wipe the wag off your dog’s tail)